Bayern Munich’s Champions League loss to Manchester City and media rumours of a player dispute cast a shadow over their season goals coming into Saturday’s Bundesliga match against in-form Hoffenheim.
The Bavarians, who top the Bundesliga with 58 points, two ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with seven matches left, lost the quarter-final first leg at City 3-0 a week after their shock German Cup last-eight exit at home to Freiburg.
After replacing Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel struggled in Munich.
Tuchel was hired because club executives worried Nagelsmann would jeopardize the team’s season ambitions.
Bayern are out of the German Cup, close to elimination in Europe, and need the Bundesliga crown to salvage their season.
Bild and Sky Sports Germany reported a changing room fight between Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane after their loss in Manchester, while online racial abuse of defender Dayot Upamecano after his error led to City’s second goal added to the melancholy.
Bayern supported Upamecano on social media but have not commented on the extensive reports of the row as they prepare for Saturday’s match against Hoffenheim, who are on a three-game winning streak that has lifted them out of the relegation zone.
“I expect a team that after their 3-0 loss will want to make things right again,” Hoffenheim’s Christoph Baumgartner remarked.
“If you’re not alert in Munich, if you don’t press them and have possession on occasion, it gets incredibly difficult. You’re crushed.”
Bayern, who host City in the return leg on Wednesday, have only lost once at home to Hoffenheim.
Despite dismal Cup performances, they are on course for a record-extending 11th consecutive league title after winning five of their past six league matches.
Dortmund, who defeated third-placed Union Berlin last week, go to 16th-placed VfB Stuttgart.
Union hosts VfL Bochum, another relegation contender, while fourth-placed RB Leipzig hosts Augsburg.
